Road machine



Sept 39, 1942- J. F. HENRY 2,296,851

ROAD MACHINE 7 Filed Feb. 11, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN l/E N TOE M%7%WW- J. F; HENRY ROAD MACHINE Sept. 29, 1942.

Filed Feb. 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN F: HENRY Sept, 29, 1942. J. F. HENRY ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 M 1 i ww/ w 7 H. n 9 i a 9a a 6 MW a M JOHN EHE/V/if Patented Sept 29, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROAD MACHINE John F. Henry, Staples, Application Feliruary 11, 1941', Serial No. 378,451 I Y 6 Claims. (01. 262-2) wings 20 are riveted or otherwise secured to the This invention relates to road machines, and has for one of its objects the production of an eilicient machine for facilitating the removal-of sod, stones, and other foreign or undesirable materials from the surface of a road, and placing such materials upon a suitable conveyance for removal or transfer to a desired location.

A further object of this invention is the production of aneflicient mechanism for lifting material from the surface of a road, then movin the material longitudinally of the road machine, and then dumping said material upon a suitable conveyor.

- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawings: 4 Figure 1 is a side elevational view of th machine; 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2; I

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the chassis with certain parts of the machine removed; 7

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-3 of Figure 3, certain parts being removed;

Figure 7 is a detached fragmentary perspective view of the spiral conveyor member; Figure 8 is an enlarged top plan View of one of the clutches;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the rear end of the screenin By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that i 5 designates the main frame which is preferably rectangular in shape and is provided with a forwardly extending downwardly inclined cutting blade supporting portion it. This portion i5 converges towards the longitudinal center of the machine and supports the downwardly inclined cutting blade I], this blade ll being of less width than the frame I5, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The forward lower end of the cuttin blade I! carries a steel shoe iii to reinforce the forward lower end of the cutting blade II. The frame I5 is preferably of a channel iron or I- beam structure in cross section to strengthenthe frame or chassis. A substantiall'y U-shaped tractor hook-up or tongue I!) is carried by the forward end of the portion l6 and is provided with wings 20 which are slotted to receive the forward ends 2| of the flanges 22 of the portion portion I6. Suitable apertures 23 are formed in the tongue l9 to-facilitate the attachment of a tractor hitch.

An endless conveyor 24 is carried by sprockets and shaft assemblies 25 and 26 mounted at opposite ends of the conveyor frame 2?, which frame 21! may be supported by any desired means and is inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the cutting blade ll, as shown in Figure 3. Wheels 23 support the frame 25, as shownin Figures 1 to i, and the conveyor 2t is driven by'a suitable chain 29 and sprockets 29 The sprockets 29 are carried by a shaft 29, which in turn is driven by the main drive chains 23. These chains 29 are driven from the sprockets 33 carried by the axle 28, which axle' 28 is supported by the-wheels 23. The conveyor 24 is driven in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3 when the machine travels forwardly. The chains 23 also pass over idle guiding sprockets 33 carried by the frame l5, as shown in Figures 1, 2', 3 and i.

A lift reel Si is journaled above the tongue 63, as shown, and is carried by the rearwardly extending braces 3 The braces 32 are carried or hung at their rear ends upon the transverse shaft 33. The shaft 33 is driven by the chain assembly 29. This shaft 33 drives a chain 36 which in turn drives the lift reel 3! in the direction of the arrows in Figure 3. The lift reel 3i carries a plurality of radiating blades which are so positioned as to force material cut by the cutting blade El toward the forward end of the conveyor 2% where this material may be elevated to the screening drum 3-6.

The shafts 33 and 29' are provided with suitable slip clutch elements 31 to relieve the load pull on the shafts in the event that the shafts should be subjected to unexpected strain or unusual load. These slip clutches may be located upon any of the driving shafts without departing from the spirit of the invention and preferably comprise a structure such as is illustrated in detail in Figure 8, wherein a loosely mounted collar 39 is carried by the supporting shaft for I example, the shaft 33, the collar 31 being se- IS to provide afirm connection and brace. These cured to or forming a part of the adjoining sprocket wheel. A clutch collar 40 is keyed to th shaft 33 to rotate therewith and to slide longitudinally thereof, the'collar 40 being yieldably held in contact with the collar 39 by means of a coil spring 4| the tension of which may be adjusted by an adjustable collar 42 held in a set position upon the shaft 33 by a set screw 43.

As stated above, this structure as illustrated in Figure 8 provides a spring-pressed slip clutch which may be adjusted to the desired load, and these clutches may be located upon any of the power shafts, it being thought necessary only to specifically describe one example.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3; the screening drum 35 is mounted to extend longitudinally of the rear end of the frame land preferably comprises an elongated hollow wire screen cylinder. This drum 36 is provided with suitable end rings 44, one ring being located at each end of the screening drum 35, these end rings 44 being of a channel iron structure having concave outer channels 45. A central ring 45 similar to the rings 44, is carried by the drum 35, as shown. Annular end bands 41 are placed at eachend of the drum to partially overhan the forward and rear edges of the drum 35, as shown, and to retard the outflow of screening material from the bottom of the drum as the drum rotates. These bands 41 are preferably narrow and extend inwardly of the inner face of the drum 35 for only a short distance. In view of the fact that the accumulated material in the bottom of the drum does not very often extend to a great height within the drum.

A power shaft 48 obtaining power from a forward tractor or other suitable means extends rearwardly from the frame l5 and this shaft 48 carries a plurality of rubber tired rollers 49 which are so positioned as to place the treads of these rubber-tired rollers 49 in the channels of the rings 44 and 45, and frictionally contact therewith for the purpose of rotating the drum 35 as the shaft 48 androllers 49 are rotated. An auxiliary shaft 50 is carried by the frame l5 in paralllel relation to the shaft 48 and upon the opposite side of the center of the frame 15, as shown in Figure 4;. Rollers 5| similar to the rollers 49 are carried' by the shaft 5 0 and these rollers travel in the channels of the rings 44 and 45,for providing proper traction to rotate the drum 35. The shaft 48 and 55 are connected by means of a sprocket chain 52 for rotating the shafts 48 and 50 in unison.

Inorder to brace the drumagainst forward shifting movement, I provide apair of forwardly and upwardly inclined braces52 upon opposite sides of the drum 35, which braces are anchored to the frame I5, as shown in Figure 5, and carry a transverse shaft 53 at their upper ends. This shaft 53 carries friction rollers 54 which abut the outer face of the forward rin 41, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. A pair of similar braces 55 are carried near the rear-end of the frame l5 and are inclined upwardly and rearwardly. These braces 55 carry a shaft 55 which extends transversely across the rear of the drum 35 and supportsfriction rollers 51 which contact with the rear face of the rear band 41, as shown in detail in Figure 9. Additional rollers 55 are carried by the braces 55 to contact the sides of the rear rings 44 to resist lateral sway of the drum 35.

A tray 59 is fixed upon the shaft 56, and this tray 59 is mounted to extend approximately One half of its length into the rear ofthe drum 35, and the other half beyond the rear end of the drum 35, as shown in Figures 3 and 9. A crank arm is carried by the shaft and this crank arm 50 is connected to a pull rod 51 extending to a suitable and convenient plac for control by the operator to permit of the proper angular adjustment of the tray 59. By shifting he rod 6| in the desired direction it will be seen that the tilting tray 59 may be swung in the arc of a circle, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9.

A spiral'conveyor element 62 i carried within the drum 35 and follows closely the inner face of the wire mesh screening, the spiral conveyor element 52 extending from the forward toward the rear end of the drum 35, as shown in Figure 3. This spiral conveyor 52 is provided with a toothed inner edge 53, as shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6. Suitable shelves 54 are carried by the spiral cbnveyor 62 at desired locations within the length thereof, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, to facilitate the lifting Of the material as the drum rotates.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The machine travels forwardly, being drawn by a be elevated and delivered into the forward end of the drum 35. The drum 35 at the same time will be rotated by the friction roller 49 and Si, and the forward movement of the drum 35 will be resisted by the rollers 54. As the drum 35 continues to rotate the spiral conveyor element 52 which is inclined rearwardly will convey the material toward the rear end of the drum 35, and as the drum 35 rotates the fine material will be screened or dropped through the drum 35 upon the floor of the road. The tilting tray 59 is properly adjusted to cause the material lifted at the rear end of the drum 35 to drop upon the tray, which tray when properly adjusted will shoot this heavy material dropped thereon into a truck or other conveyance A, shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 in the rear of the drum 35. If the material is not sufiiciently screened, however, the tray 59 may be swung in the direction of the arrow adjacent the tray 59 to cause the tray to till inwardly of the drum and prevent material from being delivered outwardly of the drum until properly screened.

It should be understood that the present device is particularly adaptable for use in building roads and the like, or the removal of sod and delivering the sod to a conveyance or other means adapted to receive said material. It should be understood that the cutting blade I! may be of suitable or varied shape depending upon the character of work to be performed and the conveyor 24 may be mounted at a desired'angle, depending upon the nature of the work and the kinds of materials to be handled and other conditions affecting the work. The conveyor may be of suitable material,

such as rubber or a metallic elevator apron may be used. 'Suitable chain tighteners and other suitable mechanism may be employed to facilitate operation and other detail mechanical features may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

It should be understood that the shaft which supports the reel 3| normally rests upon .the tongue I!) as it appears in Figure 1, but should the reel come into contact with a large stone or other hard material, the lifting strain on the fins of the reel would cause the reel and the supporting arms 32 to be moved upwardly due tothe fact that the connection of the arms 32 with the shaft 33 provides a hinging connection. Th tongue l9 however, will constitute meansfor limiting the downward movement and indicates the maximum lowermost position of the reel 3|.

What is claimed as new is: a

1. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, said frame having an integral forwardly and downwardly projecting portion at the front thereof, a cutting blade supported at the forward end of the frame, an endless conveyor supported upon the frame and being inclined-upwardly and rearwardly of the frame, means for-driving the conveyor, a lift reel supported forwardly of the cutting blade for moving material toward the conveyor as material is cut by'the cutting blade, a screening drum carried by the frame in the rear of the conveyor and positioned to receive material from the conveyor, means. for rotating said screening drum, a brace connected to the frame and to the lift reel for bracing the same, a tongue extending forwardly of the front end of the frame, said tongue having rearwardly extending portions terminating in wings, and the wings having notches for receiving portions of the frame to brace the tongue.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, said frame having an integral forwardly and downwardly projecting portion at the front thereof, a cutting blade supported at the forward end of the frame, an ndless conveyor supported upon the frame and being inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the frame, means for driving the conveyor, a lift reel supported forwardly of the cutting blade for moving material toward the conveyor as material is out by the cutting blade, a screening drum carried by the frame in the rear of the conveyor and positioned to receive material from the conveyor, a pair of driving shafts mounted upon opposite sides of the frame and extending longitudinally thereof, traction rollers carried by the shafts, channel bands carried by the drum for receiving the rollers for rotating the drum as the rollers are rotated, and bracing means spanning theforward and rear ends of the drum for holding the drum against longitudinal movement upon the frame.

3. A machine of the clas described comprising a frame, said frame having an integral forwardly and downwardly projecting portion at the front thereof, a cutting blade supported at the forward end of the frame, an endless conveyor supported upon the frame and being inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the frame, means for bracing means comprising bracing arms, said bracing arms carrying transverse shafts, said transverse shafts carrying rollers and said drum having end bands overlying the edges of the drum, and said last mentioned rollers engaging said bands.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, said frame having an integralforwardly and downwardly projection portion at the front thereof, a cutting blade supported at the forward end of the frame, an endless conveyor supported upon the frame and being inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the frame, means for driving the conveyor, a lift reel supported forwardly of the cutting'blade for moving material toward the conveyor as material is cut by the cutting blade, a screening drum carv ried by the frame in the rear of the conveyor and positioned to receive material from the conveyor, means for rotating said screening drum, the means for driving said conveyor and lift reel comprising driving shafts and spring slip clutch means carried by each shaft to automatically relieve load from the driving means, said spring slip clutch means comprising an adjustable springpressed element to facilitate the manual regulation of the spring-pressed element.

5. A machineof the class described comprising a frame, excavating and lifting means carried by the forward end of the frame, a longitudinally extending substantially horizontally mounted screening drum carried by'th'e frame in the rear of the lifting means for receiving material from the lifting means, said drum comprising a wire mesh substantially cylindrical body, means for rotating the drum, a spiral conveyor element extending spirally and longitudinally of the inner face of the drum for causing material to pass from the forward toward the rear end of the drumas the drum is rotated, teeth formed along the inner periphery of the spiral conveyor element, lifting plates carried by the spiral conveyor element at.

selected positions within the length of the spiral conveyor element, and retaining bands extenddriving the conveyor, a lift reel supported forwardly of the cutting blade for moving material toward the conveyor as material is cut by the cutting blade, a screening drum carried by the frame in the rear of the conveyor and positioned to receive material from the conveyor, a pair of driving shafts mounted upon opposite sides of the frame and extending longitudinally thereof, traction rollers carried by the shafts, channel bands carried by the drum for receiving the rollers for rotating the drum as the rollers are rotated, bracing means spanning the forward and rear ends of the drum for holding the-arm against longitudinal movement upon the frame, said ing inwardly of the periphery of the drum to restrain material to be screened from falling out through theends of the drum.

6. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, excavating and lifting means carried by the forward end of the frame, a longitudinally extending substantially horizontally mounted 'screening drum carried by the frame in the 'rear of the lifting means for receiving material from the lifting means, said drum comprising a wire mesh substantially cylindrical body, means for rotating the drum, a spiral conveyor element extending spirally and longitudinally of the inner face of the drum for causing material to pass from the forward toward the rear end of the drum as the drum is rotated, and a pivotally mounted tray carried at the, rear end of the drum and extending partially within and partially without the drum, and means for swinging the tray to selectively cause material dumped upon the tray to fall into and out of the drum.

' JOHN F. HENRY. 

